How did you learn about Greek life?

[AlethiaSi]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I learned about Greek life through my older brother (he is ten years older than me), who was in a local that has since been dissolved at his school. He, along with my sister-in-law, who was also in a sorority, encouraged me to pledge basically throughout my entire life. Because he was in local, though, it was a bit different for me when I pledged an NPC, because I had certain preconceived notions about sororities and fraternities which weren't true, at least for the ones I encountered. I grew up at my brother's college, going to fraternity events and actually visiting his house, as well as my sister-in-law's. Alethia Si, I believe my brother and sister-in-law went to your college.

LOL kathykd2005 you are right! they did go to my school, and actually her brother is in my brother fraternity, so technically, are we related? lol

[macallan25]

Just about everyone in my entire family is greek.

I was doing bows & toes in the womb.

[AnchorAlumna]

No such thing as the internet back in the day, when the earth was still cooling. I was the first in my family to go to college. All I knew of sororities were the high school versions. I never even dreamed that I COULD join a sorority until an alumna encouraged me. My mom insisted I go to the local alumnae panhellenic tea, where another alum explained a few things. Learned a little more (mostly misinformation) from my roommate at freshman orientation. Still knew very little when I signed up for open rush (COB) a month after formal rush. Thank God for encouraging alumnae!

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I don't want to sound too old (I'm 30+) but I'm noticing that many of the young people today feel a sense of entitlement about everything. This goes back to poor parenting and not preparing children for the world. It's sad but many are in for a rude awakening in many areas of life.

You are definitely right about that. Our "microwave" society promotes everything worth having should be done quickly. Unfortunately, life does not always hand a person microwavable dishes. I'm only 27 myself but I just don't understand this mentality. It does go back to parenting. Hopefully, these children will be able to bounce back from their awakening because it can be brutal.

[barbino]

Yes, there really was life, and there was Greek life, before the Internet became a defining entity in our society. I knew nothing about sororities until my best friend went to Ohio State University and pledged Alpha Phi there. She came home and told exciting stories about Greek life, and it sounded like fun. The next year I went to the University of Kentucky, went thru rush, and pledged Pi Beta Phi there. The best way to learn about being Greek is to have your own Greek experience by joining a fraternity or sorority.
Books on houses are great - I especially like "Pledged" and "The Divine Nine." I even have read Baird's through the years. Sure, you can read about Greek life, or have a member tell you about it, but there is no substitute for learning on your own by doing. Just do it!!!!
That said, I have learned much by reading posts on Greek Chat. Things change over the years, and GC is an excellent resource for how things are done now. The older GC'ers can tell you all about how it was when we were actives, but Greek life goes on. I like to hear about what fraternities and sororities are doing currently, and not just my own national. It's my natural curiosity, I guess. But there are other ways to find out - I think that some of the larger Panhellenics still have area "informational" meetings for high-school seniors that are considering going thru rush. Each college or university has its own umbrella org.'s over the individual chapters, and they are always a good source of information. It's become too easy to get lazy and let the Internet "do it all." There is a life beyond the Internet!

[knight_shadow]

Most of what I learned about Greek life came from just experiencing things. Neither of my parents were Greek, so I came into college not knowing what to expect. After getting in, I jumped on to several committees (in my GLO, local MGC, NALFO) and attended several leadership retreats with other Greeks. Interacting with everyone has given me the most knowledge.

There were a few magazines and books that I made a point to read, but I can't think of the names right now.

[Sin*ful]

Greeks are not procastinators they are Philosphers......philosphy is their way of thinking that everything on this earth came after them.......I am greek and truthfully that is truth.........we believe that we are the first and last besides God..but that is our thinking and in the Latin somewhat the truth..as you see Alpha Beta schools are in our names of the alphabet..Greek LIfe is embeded in us from birth..but as we get older we attach the new with the old..i.e. church old fashion ...shy old ...attitude new..darn that attitude gonna kills us women..to much attitude causes our greek men now a days to say ohhhhhhhhhhhh hell noooooo..now girls go half way ...our men are beautiful and dont deserve half of what they get ..as much as you think you all that and a bag of chips hell there is one more beautiful WOMAN than you and beauty is not all that now a days ..count on more.......your beauty will get you ONE month and no place else...........THATS GREEK LIFE

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by Sin*ful

Greeks are not procastinators they are Philosphers......philosphy is their way of thinking that everything on this earth came after them.......I am greek and truthfully that is truth.........we believe that we are the first and last besides God..but that is our thinking and in the Latin somewhat the truth..as you see Alpha Beta schools are in our names of the alphabet..Greek LIfe is embeded in us from birth..but as we get older we attach the new with the old..i.e. church old fashion ...shy old ...attitude new..darn that attitude gonna kills us women..to much attitude causes our greek men now a days to say ohhhhhhhhhhhh hell noooooo..now girls go half way ...our men are beautiful and dont deserve half of what they get ..as much as you think you all that and a bag of chips hell there is one more beautiful WOMAN than you and beauty is not all that now a days ..count on more.......your beauty will get you ONE month and no place else...........THATS GREEK LIFE

I don't understand.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Sin*ful

Greeks are not procastinators they are Philosphers......philosphy is their way of thinking that everything on this earth came after them.......I am greek and truthfully that is truth.........we believe that we are the first and last besides God..but that is our thinking and in the Latin somewhat the truth..as you see Alpha Beta schools are in our names of the alphabet..Greek LIfe is embeded in us from birth..but as we get older we attach the new with the old..i.e. church old fashion ...shy old ...attitude new..darn that attitude gonna kills us women..to much attitude causes our greek men now a days to say ohhhhhhhhhhhh hell noooooo..now girls go half way ...our men are beautiful and dont deserve half of what they get ..as much as you think you all that and a bag of chips hell there is one more beautiful WOMAN than you and beauty is not all that now a days ..count on more.......your beauty will get you ONE month and no place else...........THATS GREEK LIFE

Earp may have met his match.

[SWTXBelle]

. . . I don't know - this one might stump her!

Like Dionysus, much of what I know about Greek Life is because of GC. Alpha Gam is still the only NPC sorority at my alma mater, so it's pretty hard learning about other organizations and just being Greek.

When I was pledging, my pledge manual had a section dedicated to NPC/NIC/NPHC information. The NPC info was great because not only was there basic info on each sorority (When founded, where founded, # founders, official flower, jewel, motto, # initiated members), there was also an illustration of their Badge.

I haven't seen the latest version of the pledge, er, New Member Manual...but I'm wondering if you all learned about the other 25 NPC sororities during your pledge period...?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Earp may have met his match.

*cracks knuckles* I'm avoiding finishing a project for my appraisal/assessment class.

Originally Posted by Sin*ful

Greeks are not procastinators they are Philosphers......

Fair enough, btw we're talking Grecian Greeks here.

philosphy is their way of thinking that everything on this earth came after them.......

Greeks are a bit full of themselves, and are riding on their history for that.

I am greek and truthfully that is truth.........

Really, no really, I'm totally honestly without a doubt or a lie Greek. Really.

we believe that we are the first and last besides God..

Alpha and Omega, I suspect we have a Greek Orthodox here.

but that is our thinking and in the Latin somewhat the truth..

Not sure how Latin makes it true, possibly a religious thing I'm missing.

as you see Alpha Beta schools are in our names of the alphabet..

Yea for I have not a single thing here. Er... got nothin.

Greek LIfe is embeded in us from birth..but

Raised Greek, born into Greek culture

as we get older we attach the new with the old..i.e. church old fashion

...shy old

...attitude new..

Old Greeks are shy and go to church, young Greeks have attitude. Young Greeks are apparently stuck in the 90s.

darn that attitude gonna kills us women..

Us women have too much attitude

to much attitude causes our greek men now a days to say ohhhhhhhhhhhh hell noooooo..

And that attitude drives our men to go after non-Greek.

now girls go half way

Girls are only going to second base? Er?

..our men are beautiful and dont deserve half of what they get ..

Greek men are beautiful *coughLEONIDAScough* but think too highly of themselves and get too much attention for their beauty.

as much as you think you all that and a bag of chips hell there is one more beautiful WOMAN than you

Interesting note, Greeks have bags of chips and not bags of crisps like England does. I should circulate a poll. Also for every man there is a more beautiful woman.

and beauty is not all that now a days ..

Not that beauty counts for anything.

count on more.......your beauty will get you ONE month and no place else...........

Get it? JUST ONE. ONE DELICIOUS MONTH OF GREEK LOVING. *ahem* But no kissing on the mouth.

THATS GREEK LIFE

Word to your mother.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

. . . I don't know - this one might stump her!

Ha ha, I was working on it already.

[nittanyalum]

Hmmm. First post and....that writing style...with the ellipses...as the only...punctuation....seems awfully....familiar...

Just me?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Hmmm. First post and....that writing style...with the ellipses...as the only...punctuation....seems awfully....familiar...

Just me?

Yeah I forgot to point that out. Except that a) other poster's much worse at the philosophy b) this person thought this was Greece Greek and c) this poster had a much better grasp on reality.